Disposable container system and method with reusable hood assembly

ABSTRACT

A method of medical waste disposal comprising (a) positioning an open end of a container relative to a hood assembly such that the hood assembly substantially covers the open end of the container; (b) depositing medical waste in the container through a passage defined by the hood assembly until the container is at least partially full; (c) placing a lid over the open end of the container such that the open end is substantially closed; (d) disposing of the container; (e) sterilizing the hood assembly; and (f) repeating step (a).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a container system and method formedical waste disposal. More specifically, the present invention relatesto a medical waste container system and method utilizing a disposablecontainer and a reusable hood assembly.

Various types of containers for hospital use have been developed forreceiving medical waste in a surgical operating room, pre-op or post-oproom, a patient's room, or in other clinical or non-clinical settings inwhich medical waste is generated. These containers are particularlydesigned to protect the user of such containers, such as doctors,nurses, or other hospital personnel, from the hospital waste productsthat may be disposed therein. Such hospital waste products might includesurgical sharps, such as needles, syringes, scalpel blades, or the like,or might include gauzes, bandages, or sponges. It is important toprevent the user of a sharps container from being accidentally cut orpunctured by its contents. Furthermore, it is important to preventaccess to the contents of the container during disposal thereof.Additionally, it is important for the containers to be maintainedsterile to prevent contamination, infection or the like from thecontainer assembly itself.

Examples of sharps disposal containers include those shown in U.S. Pat.No. 4,715,498, entitled “Sharps Disposal System”; U.S. Pat. No.5,080,251, entitled “Tortuous Path In-Patient Room Medical WasteDisposal Container”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,494,186, entitled “Wall MountedMedical Waste Disposal Container With Pivoted Top Closure Lid”, each ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a sharps disposal container system 10similar to that described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,494,186 is shown. Thedisposable container system 10 includes a disposable container 12 uponwhich a hood assembly 11 is permanently mounted. As seen in FIG. 2, thehood assembly 11 includes locking tabs 17 about its lower periphery thatare configured to lock in corresponding locking holes (not shown) in therim of the container 12. The hood assembly 11 includes opposed cowlsurfaces 13 and 15 that define a tortuous path opening 20 through thehood assembly 11 into the disposable container 12. The tortuous pathopening 20 reduces accessibility to disposed articles within thecontainer 12. Once the container 12 is filled to a desired level, thepivotal lid 14 is moved from the illustrated position to a closedposition wherein the lid 14 covers the opening 20 and the lid lockingtab 16 engages locking slot 18 to permanently lock the lid 14 in thisclosed position. The disposable container system 10 is sealed and readyfor disposal, with the container 12 and permanently connected hoodassembly 11 being removed and send for disposal.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a sharps disposal container system 22similar to that described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,715,498 is shown. Primarycomponents of the system 22 are a hollow, outer enclosure 34 and aninner container system 23 shaped to be located within the outerenclosure 34. The inner container system 23 is similar to the containersystem 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 and includes a disposable container 24 and apermanently attached hood assembly 26. As best shown in FIG. 4, thecontainer 24 includes a peripheral, outwardly-extending flange 25 andthe hood assembly 26 includes a skirt having an inwardly-extending lip27 which snaps beneath the flange 25 when the hood assembly 26 is placedon the container 24. The hood assembly 26 includes a pivotal closure 28installed within an inlet 29 formed therein. The pivotal closure 28includes an upwardly-extending leg 30 which in a closed position, asshown in FIG. 4, closes the inlet 29 and a downwardly-depending leg 32which extends into the interior of the inner container 24 and whichpivots to a position which blocks the inlet 29 and minimizesaccessibility to the contents of the container when the closure 28 ismoved to an open, sharps receiving position (as shown in phantom in FIG.4).

Turning to the outer enclosure 34, the enclosure 34 includes an accessdoor 36 secured by hinges 35 onto the main body 38 of the enclosure 34.Opposite the hinges 35, the door 36 includes a lock 37 to lock the door36. The main body 38 of the outer enclosure 34 includes a raised cowl 40extending over a slot 42. The inner container system 23 is positional inthe enclosure 34 such that the hood assembly 26 is within the cowl 40with the inlet 29 aligned with the slot 42.

When the inner container 24 has been filled with sharps, it ispreferably discarded. In order to secure the contents therewithin, aplurality of catches or locks 46 are formed in the interior of the hood26. By applying pressure to the face of the closure 28, the closure 28is forced within the hood 26 and snaps past the first or both of thecatches 46. Due to the configuration of the catches 46, the closure 28may be pivoted past the catches toward the interior of the hood 26, butis prevented from returning. The contents of the container 24 aretherefore secured. The enclosure door 36 is opened and the innercontainer system 23, including the container 24 and the hood assembly 26permanently attached thereto, is removed and discarded.

Disposal of the filled containers adds to land fill waste and adds tothe cost of the disposable container system. Accordingly, there remainsa need for an improved container system that can be employed to decreasethe waste and cost associated with prior art systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the forgoing, it is desirable to provide a disposablecontainer system wherein the hood assembly can be reused whilemaintaining desired safety and sanitization levels. At least one ofthese objectives is achieved by a method of medical waste disposalcomprising (a) positioning an open end of a container relative to a hoodassembly such that the hood assembly substantially covers the open endof the container; (b) depositing medical waste in the container througha passage defined by the hood assembly until the container is at leastpartially full; (c) placing a lid over the open end of the containersuch that the open end is substantially closed; (d) disposing of thecontainer; (e) sterilizing the hood assembly; and (f) repeating step(a).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a prior art medical waste disposalsystem.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view through the hood assembly of themedical waste disposal system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of another prior art medical wastedisposal system.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view through the medical waste disposalsystem of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a first exemplary embodimentof a medical waste disposal system according to aspects of thisinvention.

FIG. 6 is a front cross-sectional view of the medical waste disposalsystem of FIG. 5 with the hood assembly, having the pivotal closureremoved for clarity, positioned on the disposable container.

FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a medical wastedisposal system that is an alternative exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of the medical waste disposalsystem of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 8 illustrating alid positioned over the open end of the disposable container.

FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 8 illustratingthe hood assembly removed from the disposable container.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a medical waste disposalsystem that is yet another alternative exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a front cross-sectional view of the medical waste disposalsystem of FIG. 11 with the hood assembly, having the pivotal closureremoved for clarity, positioned on the disposable container.

FIG. 13 is an isometric view of a medical waste disposal system that isstill another alternative exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a side cross-sectional view of the medical waste disposalsystem of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a side cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 14 with theenclosure door open and the hood assembly and covered disposablecontainer removed therefrom.

FIG. 16 is an isometric view of a medical waste disposal system that isanother alternative exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a side cross-sectional view of the medical waste disposalsystem of FIG. 16 with the disposable container in a fill position.

FIG. 18 is a side cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 17 with thedisposable container in a cover position.

FIG. 19 is an isometric view of a medical waste disposal system that isanother alternative exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a side cross-sectional view of the medical waste disposalsystem of FIG. 18 with the hood assembly in a fill position.

FIG. 21 is a side cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 20 with the hoodassembly in a cover position.

FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary method inaccordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein withreference to specific embodiments, the invention is not intended to belimited to the details shown. Rather, various modifications may be madein the details within the scope and range of equivalents of the claimsand without departing from the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 5, 6 and 8-10, a medical waste disposal system 50 inaccordance with a first embodiment will be described. The medical wastedisposal system 50 generally comprises a disposable container 51, a deckcomponent 60, a hood assembly 70 and a lid 80. The disposable container51 includes a wall structure 52 that defines an open end 53 with a rim54 thereabout. The disposable container 51 is configured to receivemedical waste, including sharps and the like, and may have variousconfigurations of the wall structure 52 and the rim 54 other than theillustrated structure.

The deck component 60 includes a deck surface 62 that substantiallycovers the open end 53 of the disposable container 51, except for anopening 64 through the deck surface 62. The deck component 60 ispreferably permanently attached to the disposable container 51, but maybe removably attached, if desired. In the present embodiment, a skirt 66depends from the deck surface 62 and is configured to fit about the rim54 of the disposable container 51 and attach thereto. The skirt 66includes a series of inward projections 65, as shown in FIG. 6, spacedabout its perimeter. The projections 65 engage the underside of the rim54 to attach the deck component 60 to the disposable container 51. Othermeans for securing the deck component 60 to the disposable container 51may also be utilized. For example, the skirt 66 may be provided with acontinuous internal protrusion that engages the rim 54. Alternatively, aseries of locking tabs (not shown) may project downwardly from the decksurface 62 and snap-fit into corresponding locking holes (not shown)positioned about the rim 54 of the disposable container 51, with orwithout the skirt 66. Other attachment mechanisms, for example,mechanical fasteners, adhesives, bonding methods or welding methods, mayalso be used. Alternatively, the deck component 60 may be formedintegrally with the disposable container 51.

The deck component 60 defines first and second connectors. The firstconnector is configured to removably secure the hood assembly 70 to thedeck component 60 and the second connector is configured to secure thelid 80 over the opening 64 through the deck surface 62. In the presentembodiment, the first and second connectors are defined by a pair oft-shaped bars 68 extending from the deck surface 62 on opposite sides ofthe opening 64. Each t-shaped bar 68 defines an outer track 67 and aninner track 69 between the bar 68 and the deck surface 62. The pair ofouter tracks 67 are configured to slidably receive the hood assembly 70,as will be described hereinafter, and thereby provide the firstconnector. The pair of inner tracks 69 are configured to slidablyreceive the lid 80, as will be described hereinafter, and therebyprovide the second connector.

Referring to FIGS. 5, 6 and 8, the hood assembly 70 includes a raisedcowl 74 extending from a hood platform 72. The cowl 74 defines an openpassage 77 therethrough. The hood assembly 70 functions to minimizeaccess into the disposable container 51. The hood assembly 70 isconfigured to facilitate the passage of various medical waste into thedisposable container 51, but limit the ability for an individual toreach into the disposable container and remove or otherwise contact anypreviously disposed materials. In the present embodiment, a pivotalclosure 78 is pivotally supported by the cowl 74 and has a closuresurface 79 that is moveable between a closed position, as shown in FIG.8, in which the surface 79 substantially closes the passage 77, and anopen position, as shown in phantom in FIG. 8, in which sharps 90 or thelike may pass through the passage 77, through the opening 64 and intothe disposable receptacle 51.

While a pivotal closure 78 is illustrated in the present embodiment, thehood assembly 70 may include other means for limiting access through thepassage 77. For example, the hood assembly 77 may include one or morefixed surfaces, similar to those shown in FIG. 2, which limit accessthrough the passage 77 or otherwise define a tortuous or non-direct paththrough the passage 77 into the disposable container 51. In thealternative embodiment shown in FIG. 7, access into the disposablecontainer 51 is further limited by a fixed cowl surface 61 extendingdownwardly from the deck surface 62. The fixed cowl surface 61 is belowthe deck surface 62 and the tracks 69, and therefore, will not interferewith positioning of the lid 80, as will be described hereinafter withrespect to the first embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a leg 75 extends downward from each lateraledge of the hood platform 72. A respective flange 76 extends inward fromeach leg 75 such that each flange 76 is substantially parallel to thehood platform 72. The flanges 76 are configured to be received inrespective ones of the outer tracks 67. To assemble the medical wastedisposal system 50, the hood assembly 70 is slid onto the deck component60 with the flanges 76 being received in the outer tracks 67.

The hood assembly 70 is preferably secured relative to the deckcomponent 60 such that it can only be removed by authorized personnel,for example, via a keyed latch, or only be removed once the lid 80 ispositioned to cover the opening 64. Referring to FIGS. 8-10, the presentinvention utilizes a biased locking rod 85 to retain the hood assembly70 until the lid 80 is positioned over the opening 64. The rod 85extends laterally in a groove 86 in the t-bar 68 such that the ends ofthe rod 85 extend laterally to both tracks 67 and 69. The rod 85 may beprovided on one of the t-bars 68 or both of them. The rod 85 is biasedby a spring 87 or the like to a locking position, see FIG. 8, in which aportion of the rod 85 occupies an area in each track 67 and 69. Therespective hood assembly flange 76 has a corresponding notch 73, suchthat when the flange 76 is slid into the track 67, the biased rod 85 isreceived in the notch 73 and locks the hood assembly 70 to the deckcomponent 60. To disengage the hood assembly 70, the lid 80 must bepositioned in the inner tracks 69. As the lid 80 moves into the innertracks 69, the lid body 82 contacts the portion of the rod 85 extendinginto the track 69 and forces the rod 85 upward against the force of thespring 87, as shown in FIG. 9. Upward movement of the rod 85 causes therod 85 to disengage from the hood assembly notch 73, thereby releasingthe hood assembly 70 for sliding removal from the deck component 60, asshown in FIG. 10.

Referring to FIGS. 8-10, operation of the medical waste disposalcontainer 50 will be described. The hood assembly flanges 76 are slidinto the respective outer tracks 67 such that the hood assembly 70covers the deck opening 64, thereby limiting access into the disposablecontainer 51. The medical waste disposal system 50 is ready for use andsharps 90 or the like may be disposed in the disposable container 51 byplacing the items into the hood passage 77 and pivoting the pivotalclosure 78, either manually or automatically due to the weight of theitem, as illustrated in FIG. 8.

Once the disposable container 51 is filled to a given level, the lid 80is used to cover and substantially seal the opening 64 in the deckcomponent 60. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 9, the lid 80 includes a planarbody 82 with a length equal to the distance defined by the two innertracks 69 and a width at least as large as the width of the opening 64.The lid 80 is preferably provided with a locking mechanism that willprevent removal of the lid 80 from the deck component 60 once the lid 80has been installed. In the present embodiment, a pair of barbs 84 extenddownward from the planar body 82 along each lateral edge thereof. Thebarbs 84 are configured to engage corresponding notches 63 providedalong each inner track 69. The barbs 84 and notches 63 are preferablysloped such that the lid 80 is easily inserted into the tracks 69, butdifficult to remove. As can be seen in FIGS. 6 and 9, since the hoodassembly 70 does not interfere with the tracks 69 and the pivotalclosure 78 is above the opening 64, the lid 80 is positional over theopening 64 prior to removal of the hood assembly 70.

Referring to FIG. 10, after the lid 80 is positioned over the opening 64and the contents are securely sealed within the disposable container 51,the hood assembly 70 is slidingly removed from the deck component 60.With the hood assembly 70 removed, the filled disposable container 51,with the deck component 60 and lid 80 attached thereto, is disposed ofin a normal manner. The significant amount of material of the hoodassembly 70 is not disposed of, but instead is reused, as described inmore detail hereinafter. Reusing of the hood assembly 70 reduces theamount of waste and also reduces the manufacturing costs as a newreceptacle 51 with a deck component 60 attached thereto can be used withthe already manufactured hood assembly 70.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, a medical waste disposal system 100 inaccordance with an alternative embodiment will be described. The medicalwaste disposal system 100 is similar to the previous embodiment andgenerally comprises a disposable container 51, a deck component 110, ahood assembly 120 and a lid 108. The disposable container 51 is the sameas in the previous embodiment and includes a wall structure 52 thatdefines an open end 53 with a rim 54 thereabout. The disposablecontainer 51 is configured to receive medical waste, including sharpsand the like, and may have various configurations of the wall structure52 and the rim 54 other than the illustrated structure.

The deck component 110 includes a deck surface 102 that substantiallycovers the open end 53 of the disposable container 51, except for anopening 104 through the deck surface 102. As in the previous embodiment,the deck component 110 is preferably permanently attached to thedisposable container 51, but may be removably attached, if desired. Askirt 106 depends from the deck surface 102 and is configured to fitabout the rim 54 of the disposable container 51 and attach thereto. Theskirt 106 includes a series of inward projections 105, as shown in FIG.12, spaced about its perimeter. The projections 105 engage the undersideof the rim 54 to attach the deck component 110 to the disposablecontainer 51. Other means for securing the deck component 110 to thedisposable container 51 may also be utilized.

The deck component 110 of the present embodiment defines multipleconnectors configured to secure both the hood assembly 120 and the lid108. The connectors include first and second series of receivingopenings 103 and 103′ extending through the deck surface 102 andconfigured to receive complimentary locking tabs 126 and 107 extendingfrom the hood assembly 120 and the lid 108, respectively. The connectionfeatures of the present embodiment simplify the deck component 110design and further reduce the amount of material to be disposed.

Referring to FIG. 11, the hood assembly 120 is similar to the previousembodiment and includes a raised cowl 124 extending from a hood platform122. The cowl 124 defines an open passage 127 therethrough. The hoodassembly 120 again functions to minimize access into the disposablecontainer 51. A pivotal closure 128 is pivotally supported by the cowl124 and has a closure surface 129 that is moveable between a closedposition and an open position, similar to the previous embodiment. Whilea pivotal closure 128 is illustrated in the present embodiment, the hoodassembly 120 may include other means for limiting access through thepassage 127, as explained above in conjunction with the previousembodiment.

To connect the hood assembly 120 to the deck component 110, a series oflocking tabs 126 extend downward from the hood platform 122. As shown inFIG. 12, the locking tabs 126 are configured to be received incorresponding ones of the receiving openings 103 in the deck surface102. The illustrated locking tabs 126 snap-fit into the receivingopenings 103 and are removed therefrom by exerting an upward separationforce. Other configurations may be also be utilized. For example, thelocking tabs may be biased between a locking position and a non-lockingposition, with a special tool required to contact the locking tabs andmove them to the non-locking position for removal of the hood assembly120. Alternatively, the locking tabs may be rotatable between a lockingposition and a non-locking position and require a key or the like torotate the locking tabs to the non-locking position.

Referring to FIG. 11, the lid 108 also includes a series of locking tabs107 configured to be received in receiving openings 103′ on the decksurface 102 of the deck component 110. The receiving openings 103′configured to receive the lid tabs 107 may be the same receivingopenings 103 as those configured to receive the hood assembly lockingtabs 126, or may be separate receiving openings 103′ as indicated. Thelocking tabs 107 and the receiving openings 103′ are configured suchthat the locking tabs 107 are received and not easily removed from thereceiving openings 103′. In the present embodiment, the lid 108 ishingedly connected to the deck component 110 for easy access, but suchis not required and the lid 108 may be manufactured as a separatecomponent.

In operation, the hood assembly 120 is attached to the deck component110 and the disposable container 51 is filled in a manner similar tothat described in the previous embodiment. When the disposable container51 is filled to a given level, the hood assembly 120 is removed from thedeck component 110 as described above. After the hood assembly 120 isremoved, the lid 108 is positioned over the opening 104 and the lockingtabs 107 are engaged in the receiving openings 103′. Since removal ofthe hood assembly 120 exposes the opening 104, the present embodiment ispreferably used in a minimum risk environment, for example, home use, oris secured, for example, in an external enclosure, such that onlyauthorized personnel may remove the hood assembly 120.

Once the hood assembly 120 is removed, the filled disposable container51, with the deck component 110 and lid 108 attached thereto, isdisposed of in a normal manner. The significant amount of material ofthe hood assembly 120 is not disposed of, but instead is reused, asdescribed in more detail hereinafter. Again, reusing of the hoodassembly 120 reduces the amount of waste and also reduces themanufacturing costs as a new receptacle 51 with a deck component 110attached thereto can be used with the already manufactured hood assembly120.

Referring to FIGS. 13-15, a medical waste disposal system 150 inaccordance with another alternative embodiment will be described. Thesystem 150 generally comprises a hollow, outer enclosure 152, adisposable container 51 configured to be located within the outerenclosure 152, and a reusable hood assembly 170. The disposablecontainer 51 is substantially the same as in the previous embodimentsand includes a wall structure 52 that defines an open end 53 with a rim54 thereabout. The disposable container 51 is configured to receivemedical waste, including sharps and the like, and may have variousconfigurations of the wall structure 52 and the rim 54 other than theillustrated structure.

Turning to the outer enclosure 152, the enclosure 152 includes an accessdoor 158 secured by hinges 157 onto the main body 153 of the enclosure152. Opposite the hinges 157, the door 158 includes a lock 155 to lockthe door 158 in a closed position relative to the main body 153. Themain body 153 of the outer enclosure 152 includes a raised cowl 154extending over a slot 156. The disposable container 51 is positioned inthe main body 153 and retained by the door 158. The hood assembly 170 isremovably supported by the main body 153, as will be described in moredetail hereinafter, with the hood assembly passage 177 aligned with theslot 156 and defining a tortuous path or the like through the hoodassembly 170 into the disposable container 51. While the outer enclosure152 is illustrated with an external raised cowl 154, such is notrequired as the hood assembly cowl 172 may provide the only cowl withthe top surface of the enclosure 152 being substantially flat.

Referring to FIG. 14, the hood assembly 170 includes a hood platform 171with a opening 173 therethrough. A raised cowl 172 extends from the hoodplatform 171 above the opening 173. A pivotal closure 174 is pivotallysupported at 175 in the passage 177 of the hood assembly 170. Thepivotal closure 174 includes a closure surface 176 that is moveablebetween a closed position, as shown in FIG. 14, and an open position,similar to the closure surface 79 of the previous embodiment. Thepivotal closure 174 further includes an extension surface 179 whichextends from the closure surface 176 and further limits access into theinterior of the disposable container 51. While a pivotal closure 174 isillustrated in the present embodiment, the hood assembly 170 may includeother means for limiting access through the passage 177, as explainedabove in conjunction with the previous embodiment.

The hood assembly 170 has a support contact surface 178 configured tocontact and support the hood assembly 170 relative to a shelf 159extending inward on each of the lateral walls of the enclosure main body153. The support contact surface 178 of the present invention isillustrated as a skirt depending from the hood platform 171, but otherstructures, including direct contact by the hood platform 171, may alsobe utilized. As shown in FIG. 14, once the hood assembly 170 ispositioned on the shelves 159 and the door 158 is closed, the hoodassembly 170 is retainer between the shelves 159, the cowl 154 and theupper portion of the door 158. The medical waste disposal system 150 isready for use and sharps or the like may be disposed in the disposablecontainer 51 by placing the items into the hood passage 177 and pivotingthe pivotal closure 174, either manually or automatically due to theweight of the item.

Once the disposable container 51 is filled to a given level, a lid 180is configured to cover and substantially seal the open end 53 of thedisposable container 51. A preferred lid 180 is illustrated in FIG. 13with its underside facing upward in the figure. The lid 180 includes aplanar body 181 with a wall 183 depending from three of its edges. Therear edge 185 is substantially open except for a reduced heightprojection 187 extending therefrom. The lid 180 configuration allows thelid 180 to be slid horizontally onto the disposable container 51 withthe projection snapping over the rim 54 as it passes over such.

To facilitate placement of the lid 180 on the disposable container 51,the enclosure door 158 includes a lid slot 161 extending substantiallyacross its width at the height of the container rim 54. A slot door 160is preferably positioned over the lid slot 161 and connected to the door158 via hinges 162. A handle 164 may be provided on the slot door 160 tofacilitate opening thereof. When the disposable container is full, theslot door 160 is opened, see FIG. 14, and the lid 180 is slid throughthe lid slot 161 and onto the rim 54 of the disposable container 51. Theprojection 187 snaps over the front portion of the rim 54 and thenfinally snaps over the rear portion of the rim 54 to lock the lid 180 onthe disposable container 51, as shown in FIG. 15. Once the lid 180 hasbeen positioned, the enclosure door 158 can be opened to remove thecovered disposable container 51, which can be disposed of in a normalmanner. The significant amount of material of the hood assembly 170 isnot disposed of, but instead, the hood assembly 170 remains supported onthe shelves 159 where it can be reused. When it is time to sterilize orotherwise clean the hood assembly, as described in more detailhereinafter, the hood assembly 170 can be slid from the enclosure 152when the door 158 is opened. Again, reusing of the hood assembly 170reduces the amount of waste and also reduces the manufacturing costs asa new receptacle 51 can be used with the already manufactured hoodassembly 170.

Referring to FIGS. 16-18, a medical waste disposal system 150′ inaccordance with another alternative embodiment will be described. Thesystem 150′ is similar to the previous embodiment and generallycomprises a hollow, outer enclosure 152′, a disposable container 51configured to be located within the outer enclosure 152, and a reusablehood assembly 170′. The hood assembly 170′ is generally the same as inthe previous embodiment and like elements are numbered alike. The hoodassembly 170′ differs from the hood assembly 170 of the previousembodiment in that it further includes a fixed cowl surface 169extending downward from the hood platform 171. In the operable positionshown in FIG. 17, the cowl surface 169 extends into the interior of thedisposable container 51.

In the position illustrated in FIG. 17, the cowl surface 169 wouldprevent a lid 180 from being slid over the container rim 54. Tofacilitate covering of the container opening 53, the disposablecontainer 51 is positioned on a moveable platform 184. Springs 186 orthe like bias the platform 184 to the operable position shown in FIG.17. Once the disposable container 51 is filled, a push rod 182 is usedto move the platform 184 against the spring bias to the position shownin FIG. 18 such that the rim 54 of the disposable container 51 is clearof the cowl surface 169 and the container 51 is positioned to receivethe lid 180. Similar to the previous embodiment, a lid slot 161 extendsthrough the enclosure door 158′. The lid slot 161 is positioned lowerrelative to the top of the door 158′ such that the lid slot 161 alignswith the container rim 54 when the disposable container 51 is lowered tothe position shown in FIG. 18. The slot door 160 is opened and the lid180 is slid over the container rim 54 in the manner described withrespect to the previous embodiment.

Again, once the lid 180 has been positioned, the enclosure door 158′ canbe opened to remove the covered disposable container 51, which can bedisposed of in a normal manner. The significant amount of material ofthe hood assembly 170′, including cowl surface 169, is not disposed of,but instead, the hood assembly 170′ remains supported on the shelves 159where it can be reused. When it is time to sterilize or otherwise cleanthe hood assembly, as described in more detail hereinafter, the hoodassembly 170′ can be slid from the enclosure 152′ when the door 158′ isopened. Again, reusing of the hood assembly 170′ reduces the amount ofwaste and also reduces the manufacturing costs as a new receptacle 51can be used with the already manufactured hood assembly 170′.

Referring to FIGS. 19-21, a medical waste disposal system 200 inaccordance with another alternative embodiment will be described. Thesystem 200 generally comprises a hollow, outer enclosure 202, adisposable container 51 configured to be located within the outerenclosure 152, and a reusable hood assembly 170. The disposablecontainer 51 is substantially the same as in the previous embodimentsand includes a wall structure 52 that defines an open end 53 with a rim54 thereabout. The disposable container 51 is configured to receivemedical waste, including sharps and the like, and may have variousconfigurations of the wall structure 52 and the rim 54 other than theillustrated structure.

Turning to the outer enclosure 202, the enclosure 202 includes a mainbody comprising a lower main body 201 and an upper main body 206. Theupper main body 206 includes a generally planar upper surface 210 withside and rear walls 212 depending therefrom. The upper main body 206also includes a raised cowl 204 extending from the upper surface 210over a slot 216. While an external raised cowl 204 is illustrated, suchis not required as the hood assembly cowl 222 may provide the only cowlwith the top surface 210 of the enclosure 202 being substantially flat.Referring to FIGS. 20 and 21, the upper main body 206 includes opposedshelves 209 extending inward from the side walls 212. Similar to theprevious embodiment, the shelves 209 are configured to support the hoodassembly 220. The upper main body 206 is hinged to the lower main body201 along a rear edge thereof via hinges 203. Since the hood assembly220 is supported by the upper main body 206, the hood assembly 220pivots with the upper main body 206, as illustrated in FIG. 21.

An access door 208 is secured by hinges 207 onto the lower main body 201of the enclosure 202. Opposite the hinges 207, the door 208 includes alock 205 to lock the door 208 in a closed position relative to the lowermain body 201. To position a disposable container 51 within theenclosure 202, the door 208 is opened and the upper main body 206, andthereby the hood assembly 220, is pivoted to the position illustrated inFIG. 21. After the disposable container 51 is positioned in theenclosure 202, the upper main body 206 is pivoted to the positionillustrated in FIG. 20 such that the hood assembly 220 overlies the openend 53 of the disposable container 51 and defines a tortuous path or thelike through the hood assembly 220 into the disposable container 51. Thedoor 208 is locked relative to the lower main body 201 such that thedisposable container 51 and the hood assembly 220 are restrained withinthe enclosure 202.

Referring to FIGS. 21 and 22, the hood assembly 220 includes a hoodplatform 221 with a opening 223 therethrough. A raised cowl 222 extendsfrom the hood platform 221 above the opening 223. A pivotal closure 224is pivotally supported at 225 in the passage 227 of the hood assembly220. The pivotal closure 224 includes a closure surface 226 that ismoveable between a closed position, as shown in FIG. 20, and an openposition, similar to the closure surface 176 of the previous embodiment.The pivotal closure 224 further includes an extension surface 229 whichextends from the closure surface 226 and further limits access into theinterior of the disposable container 51. The hood assembly 220 furtherincludes a fixed cowl surface 219 extending downward from the hoodplatform 221. In the operable position shown in FIG. 20, the cowlsurface 219 extends into the interior of the disposable container 51.While a pivotal closure 224 with a depending cowl surface 219 isillustrated in the present embodiment, the hood assembly 220 may includeother means for limiting access through the passage 227, as explainedabove in conjunction with the previous embodiments.

The hood assembly 220 has a support contact surface 228 configured tocontact and support the hood assembly 220 relative to the shelves 209extending inward on each of the side walls 212 of the upper main body206. The support contact surface 228 of the present invention isillustrated as a skirt depending from the hood platform 221, but otherstructures, including direct contact by the hood platform 221, may alsobe utilized. As shown in FIG. 20, once the hood assembly 220 ispositioned on the shelves 209 and the door 208 is closed, the hoodassembly 220 is retained between the shelves 209, the cowl 204 and theupper portion of the door 208. The medical waste disposal system 200 isready for use and sharps or the like may be disposed in the disposablecontainer 51 by placing the items into the hood passage 227 and pivotingthe pivotal closure 224, either manually or automatically due to theweight of the item.

Once the disposable container 51 is filled to a given level, a lid 230is configured to cover and substantially seal the open end 53 of thedisposable container. A preferred lid 230 is illustrated in FIG. 19 withits underside facing upward in the figure. The lid 230 includes a planarbody 232 with a wall 234 depending from its complete perimeter. Asecondary protrusion 236 extends from the planar body 232 adjacent therear portion of the wall 234 and is configured such that the rearportion of the container rim 54 will be received between the rearportion of the wall 234 and the protrusion 236. The lid 230 isconfigured to be placed on the disposable container 51 and does notrequire a sliding configuration.

To facilitate placement of the lid 230 onto a filled disposablecontainer 51, the enclosure door 208 is opened and the upper main body206, and thereby the hood assembly 220, is pivoted to the raisedposition illustrated in FIG. 21. Raising of the hood assembly 220removes the cowl surface 219 from the disposable container 51 such thatthe lid 230 may be placed thereon. The cowl surface 219 is preferablydistanced from the rim 54 such that the lid 230 can be placed over andthen lowered onto the container rim 54. However, a sliding lid, as inthe previous embodiments, or other lid configurations may also beutilized. Once the lid 230 has been positioned, the covered disposablecontainer 51 can be removed from the enclosure 202 and disposed of in anormal manner. The significant amount of material of the hood assembly220 is not disposed of, but instead, the hood assembly 220 remainssupported on the shelves 209 where it can be reused. When it is time tosterilize or otherwise clean the hood assembly 220, as described in moredetail hereinafter, the hood assembly 220 can be slid from the uppermain body 206 when the door 208 is open. Again, reusing of the hoodassembly 220 reduces the amount of waste and also reduces themanufacturing costs as a new receptacle 51 can be used with the alreadymanufactured hood assembly 220.

Referring to FIG. 22, a method of medical waste disposal incorporatingreusable hood assemblies will be described. The method starts at step302 with the positioning of the open end of a container relative to ahood assembly such that the hood assembly substantially covers thecontainer open end. As illustrated above, the hood assembly may havevarious configurations and may incorporate various components, includingpivoting components, fixed components or a combination thereof, todefine the passage. The hood assembly is not limited to the embodimentsillustrated herein. The method incorporates any of various structuresand assemblies for positioning the disposable container relative to thehood assembly.

In step 304, medical waste is deposited into the container through apassage defined by the hood assembly until the container is filled to adesired level.

Once the container is filled to a desired level, a lid is placed overthe container open end such that the container open end is substantiallyclosed, as indicated at step 306. As discussed above, step 306 may beperformed while the hood assembly is still covering the container openend or when the container open end is enclosed within an outerenclosure. Alternatively, step 306 may be performed after the containeropen end has been exposed.

In step 308, the substantially closed disposable container is removedand disposed of in a normal manner. In one exemplary embodiment of themethod, the process next repeats, as indicated by arrow 309, to step302.

In another exemplary embodiment of the method, at step 310 a countervalue is incremented to indicate that the hood assembly has beenutilized with a container. The counter value may be maintained in aphysical location, for example, in a log book or on a computer, or thecounter value may be remembered by the operator(s). Any system can beutilized to track the number of times the hood assembly has beenutilized.

In step 312, the counter valve is checked to determine if a thresholdvalue has been reached. The threshold value can be any value of one ormore. The threshold value represents the number of container fillingsthe operator allows between sterilization of the hood assembly. If thecounter value is at the threshold value, it is time to sterilize thehood assembly and the method proceeds to step 316, as described in moredetail hereinafter.

If the counter value is less than the threshold value, the methodproceeds to step 314 wherein an inspection is made to determine if thereis a presence of any indicia on the hood assembly of a non-sterilecondition. The indicia may include, for example, but not limited to,fluid presence, excessive odor, or the presence of dried foreignmaterial or stains. Such determination is subjective to the operator. Ifit is determined that no such indicia is present, the hood assembly maybe reused and the method proceeds back to step 302. If it is determinedthat such indicia is present on the hood assembly, the hood assembly isremoved and the method proceeds to step 316.

Step 316 provides for the sterilization of the hood assembly. Variousmethods and devices exist for the sterilization, decontamination, ordisinfection of the hood assembly. These methods include, but are notlimited to, heat sterilization (e.g., autoclaving), irradiation (e.g.,ultraviolet or ionizing irradiation), gas sterilization (e.g., usingethylene oxide), photosensitization, membrane sterilization, or the useof chemical disinfectants (formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, alcohols,mercury compounds, quaternary ammonium compounds, halogenated compounds,solvent/detergent systems, or peroxides). Sterilization may be performedat the operator's location or may be done offsite.

Once the hood assembly has been sterilized, step 318 provides that thehood assembly be returned and step 320 provides that the counter valuebe reset to its initial value. Thereafter, the procedure begins again atstep 302. In step 318, the sterilized hood assembly may be returneddirectly into operation, or may be returned to a queue of sterilizedhood assemblies, such that an alternate sterilized hood assembly can beutilized while the first hood assembly is being sterilized. Such asystem of at least two hood assemblies minimizes downtime for theoperator.

In typical prior art systems, the hood assembly is permanently affixedto the disposable container, serves to permanently close the containerupon filling thereof, and is disposed with the disposable container. Incontrast to such typical systems, exemplary embodiments of containersystems disclosed herein make it possible to reuse portions of thecontainer system while facilitating safe and secure disposal of medicalwaste, thus reducing waste and cost. Though each of the exemplarycontainer system embodiments disclosed herein can optionally beconfigured for complete disposal of all or substantially all of itscomponents together (e.g., with a hood assembly permanently affixed tothe disposal container, permanently closing the container, and/ordisposed of with the container), it is preferred at least one component(e.g., the hood assembly) of the container system be reuseable withdisposable components (e.g., the container) to reduce costs and waste.

In another exemplary embodiment of the container system disclosedherein, the container system is provided as part of a kit for medicalwaste disposal. The kit includes a plurality of containers and a hoodassembly configured to substantially cover an open end of each saidcontainer. The hood assembly can have various configurations including,but not limited to, those described above. The hood assembly defines apassage through which medical waste can be passed to the open end ofsaid container. The kit further includes a plurality of lids, separatefrom the hood assembly, each configured to be placed over the open endof each said container and to substantially close the open end of saidcontainer when said container is at least partially filled with medicalwaste. Each container is configured for separation from the hoodassembly for disposal.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed herein, it will be understood that such embodiments areprovided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes andsubstitutions will occur to those skilled in the art without departingfrom the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that theappended claims cover all such variations as fall within the spirit andscope of the invention.

1. A method of medical waste disposal comprising: (a) positioning anopen end of a container relative to a hood assembly such that the hoodassembly substantially covers the open end of the container; (b)depositing medical waste in the container through a passage defined bythe hood assembly until the container is at least partially full; (c)placing a lid over the open end of the container such that the open endis substantially closed; (d) disposing of the container; (e) sterilizingthe hood assembly; and (f) repeating step (a).
 2. The method of claim 1wherein step (e) includes one or more of the processes selected from thegroup of heat sterilization, irradiation, gas sterilization,photosensitization, membrane sterilization, and the use of chemical disinfectants.
 3. The method of claim 1 further comprising a step (d₁) ofincrementing a counter value after step (d).
 4. The method of claim 3further comprising a step (d₂) of determining if the counter value ofstep (d₁) is less than a threshold value or equal to the thresholdvalue.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein if the counter value of step(d₁) is equal to the threshold value, the method proceeds to step (e);and if the counter value of step (d₁) is less than the threshold value,the method returns to step (a).
 6. The method of claim 4 wherein if thecounter value of step (d₁) is equal to the threshold value, the methodproceeds to step (d); and if the counter value of step (d₁) is less thanthe threshold value, the method proceeds to a step (d₃) of inspectingthe hood assembly and determining if indicia of a non-sterile conditionare present, and wherein, if it is determined in step (d₃) that indiciaof a non-sterile condition are present, the method proceeds to step (e);and if it is determined in step (d₃) that indicia of a non-sterilecondition are not present, the method returns to step (a).
 7. The methodof claim 4 wherein the threshold value is one.
 8. The method of claim 4wherein the threshold value is greater than one.
 9. The method of claim1 wherein step (c) does not require modification of the relativeposition between the hood assembly and the container prior to executionthereof.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein the hood assembly and thecontainer are retained in an external enclosure having an access doorwith a lid slot therethrough, and wherein step (c) includes sliding thelid through the lid slot.
 11. The method of claim 9 wherein a deckcomponent is positioned over the container open end, and wherein thedeck component includes first and second connectors with the hoodassembly connected to the deck component via the first connectors andstep (c) includes sliding the lid into engagement with the secondconnectors.
 12. The method of claim 1 wherein the hood assembly and thecontainer are retained in an external enclosure having an access doorwith a lid slot therethrough, and wherein step (c) includes sliding thelid through the lid slot onto the container.
 13. The method of claim 12further comprising a step (b₁) of moving the disposable container withinthe external enclosure prior to sliding the lid through the lid slotonto the container.
 14. The method of claim 1 further comprisingproviding an external enclosure having an upper body pivotal relative toa lower body and wherein the container is positioned in the lower bodyand the hood assembly is supported by the upper body such that the hoodassembly is pivotal relative to the container and wherein the externalenclosure further comprises an access door securable relative to theupper and lower bodies such that the hood assembly and the container aresecured within the enclosure when the door is secured.
 15. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the container includes a substantially planar decksurface about the open end and wherein the hood assembly is configuredto be removably secured to the planar deck surface.
 16. The method ofclaim 15 wherein the lid is pivotally attached to the planar decksurface.
 17. The method of claim 1 wherein a second hood assembly isutilized in step (f) while the first hood assembly proceeds through step(e).
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein the first and second hoodassemblies are alternately utilized in the method.
 19. The method ofclaim 17 wherein more than two hood assemblies are provided and the hoodassemblies are interchangeably utilized in the method.
 20. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the hood assembly includes a pivotal closure positionedin the passage.
 21. The method of claim 20 wherein the hood assemblypassage is further defined by a fixed cowl surface.
 22. A kit formedical waste disposal comprising: a plurality of containers; a hoodassembly configured to substantially cover an open end of each saidcontainer, the hood assembly defining a passage through which medicalwaste can be passed to the open end of said container; and a pluralityof lids, separate from the hood assembly, each configured to be placedover the open end of each said container and to substantially close theopen end of said container when said container is at least partiallyfilled with medical waste; each of said containers being configured forseparation from the hood assembly for disposal.